NEW DATE: JUNE 26, 2015
Building creative rural economies
The social enterprise field is gaining momentum and recognition from private and public sectors all across the world as a way of addressing important social and environmental issues. However, as these issues that have traditionally been funded through government ministries and social services organizations, move towards a market-driven economic model, a number of topics need to be addressed. We have posed 3 questions to people working directly in the social enterprise field to get their thoughts:
- What are some of the successes, failures, threats and limitations of social enterprises?
- How do we work collaboratively to create the most impact?
- How do we adapt and get creative to get the funding needed to start-up and sustain these social enterprises?
Rural communities nearly everywhere struggle with youth retention, seizing market opportunities, job growth, social supports and environmental changes. This summit is a way to bring together rural (and urban) social enterprise practitioners to share their frontline work and experiences and best practices.
Speakers:
- Peter Couchman – Plunkett Foundation
- Paul Chamberlin – The Canadian CED Network
- Daniel Bida – Zooshare Co-operative/Regenerate Biogas
- Frances Wilbur - COIN (Community Opportunity and Innovation Network)
- Bob MacDermid – SERA (Social Enterprise Rural Alliance) Community Ventures
- Erika Shea – New Dawn Enterprises
- Rebecca Danard – reThink Green
- Russ Christianson – Ontario Co-operative Association/Aron Theatre Co-operative
- Ethel Cote – Canadian Centre for Community Renewal
- Steve Stacey – The Local Community Food Centre
